Spring-clamp for bills or accounts.



no. 645,-.5l0. Patented Apr. 3, 1900.

A. w. THIERKOFF. SPRING CLAMP FOR BILLS 0R ACCOUNTS.

(Application flied Nov. 20, 1899.) (No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY WV'AYNE THIERKOFF, OF BEDDING, CALIFORNIA.

SPRING-CLAMP FOR BILLS OR ACCOUNTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 646,510, dated April 3, 1900.

Application filed November 20,1899. Serial No- 737,630. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANTHONY WAYNE THIERKOFF, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bedding, county of Shasta, State of California, have invented an Improvement in Spring-Clamps for Bills or Accounts; and I hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to a device which is especially adapted for clamping bills or sheets of any description in relation to a fixed surface over which the clamps operate, and it may be used either independent and singly or in double form and in conjunction with an apparatus for which patenttvas allowed to me October 4, 1899.

It consists of one or more clamps with a spiral spring and bail connection forming an elastic and movable fulcrum therefor, so that either or both clamps can be lifted for the purpose of inserting or removing papers, and

both clamps are held down by the action of the spiral spring.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows the invention as applied to an apparatus having tabular surfaces with channels over which the clamps operate. Fig. 2 is a View of the single form of clamp.

I have here illustrated a convenient form for the device; but modifications may be made to suit conditions under which it is to be used.

As here shown, A A are tabular surfaces, to one of which the clamping-plate 2 is suitably fixed. Beneath this plate is a hollow chamber, within which is fitted a spiral spring 3, and a yoke or bail 4 incloses this spring, the sides of the yoke extending up through slots 5 in the plate A. The upper ends of this bail or yoke are formed into hooks or otherwise made to engage with loops 6, which are formed by making a complete turn of the wire of which the clamp 7 is formed. This clamp is bent into any suitable or desired shape, as shown, with the end sufficiently wide to properly press upon and hold the papers, and the sides extending from this clamping end are bent to form the loops 6, with which the ends of the bail 4 engage, and then extended and brought together, as shown at 8, this point 8 resting upon the plate A, as shown. Constructed in this manner, when the part 7 of the clamp is lifted the bail 4 compresses the spring 3 in the chamber beneath the plate, and the clamp is movable about its fulcrum end 8. As soon as released the spring3 acts through the bail 4 to pull the clamp downward and cause the end 7 to firmly press upon the papers which it is to hold.

When thedevioe is to be used in the double form, I have shown a second clamp 9, extending in the opposite direction from the clamp 7, and in this case the ends of the clamp 9 are bent so as to pass through the loop or turn 6 of the clamp 7, as shown at 10. The sides of 9 are also bent a single turn to form loops at 11, and in this construction the bail or yoke 4 connects with the loops 11, thus acting through the bail upon the clamp 9 to trans mit the pressure also to clamp 7 through the connections at 10. Now if it is desired to raise the clamp 7 it fulcrums at 8, as before described, and by lifting the ends 10 of the clamp 9 the spring 3 will be thereby compressed, and its tension will close the clamp 9. If the clamp 9 is to be lifted, it fulcrums about its points of connection with 7, as shown at 10, and the direct .pull of the loops 11 upon the yoke 4 again compresses the spring, which when the clamp is released acts to close it down upon the surface.

It will be manifest that the device may be secured to a wall, desk, or other surface where it is desired to utilize such a holder.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In an apparatus for mechanically carrying bills and the like, a tabular surface having a chamber formed therein, a plate covering said chamber having openings formed therethrough, a coiled spring, and a yoke connected with said spring extending through the plate, a clamp and connections between it and the yoke whereby the spring acts to hold the clamp down upon the surface.

2. A device for carrying bills and the like consisting of a tabular chambered surface, a slotted plate fixed to the surface and covering the chamber, a yoke or connection extending through the slot, a spiral spring situated below the plate with which the yoke is connected, a clamp bent as shown to rest upon of the slot, said clamps having a flexible connection with each other and one of the clamps the tabular surface having flexible connections with the yoke whereby the lifting of the clamp compresses the spring. being connected with the spring whereby 3. A device for carrying bills and the like, either of the clamps may be raised, and both consisting of extended tabular surfaces, sep- I are normally held down by the single spring. arated by a slot, a plate fixed with relation to I In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my one of said surfaces, a spiral spring fixed to l hand. the under side of said plate, a yoke or con- ANTHONY WAYNE 'lllIERKOFF. nection from the spring through the plate, Witnesses:

FRANK W. SMITH, F. RoELL.

I l clamps facing in opposite directions to rest I upon the tabular surfaces upon opposite sides 1 

